An apprentice church worker who was invited to speak at elite Brisbane private school St Peters Lutheran College is at the centre of a storm of controversy over accusations he gave a sermon at a school chapel service for Year 7 and 8 students, aged 12 and 13, during which he allegedly said homosexuals and non-believers “would go to hell.”
However, Jonathan Vickers, a Gospel worker in training at the evangelical St Lucia Bible Church, insists he didn’t say that at all.
Mr. Vickers is adamant he did not target any particular group or sexuality in his sermon.
But that hasn’t stopped the accusations spreading through the Christian school’s community amid reports of parents being outraged and threatening to withdraw their children, forcing the college into damage control to protect its reputation.
The St Lucia Bible Church Response:
“The chapel talk delivered at St Peter’s Lutheran College was a clear expression of basic Christianity which is cherished by billions of people across the world,” stated the St Lucia Bible Church where Mr. Vickers is based.
“It focused on the words of Jesus in Luke 14:15-24 about the heavenly banquet all people are invited to, but not all accept.”
“No particular group or sexual identity was targeted or even mentioned, but all the students were urged to repent of their sins and put their faith in the Lord Jesus.”
“This message is taught every week in churches all around the country.”
“The Message Of St Peter And Martin Luther”
“It was precisely what St Peter and Martin Luther urged their listeners to do,” the church continued.
“Although some reports of the talk seem to have embellished what was said or taken things out of context, the message was delivered in a sincere, loving and straightforward manner.”
“St Peter’s advertises very clearly that they are a Christ-centred community, so a talk based on Jesus’s words should be unremarkable.”
“We would encourage all those interested in Jesus’s teachings to read Luke’s Gospel for themselves and see what he says about the coming judgement and the forgiveness he offers.”
“Sermon Was The Christian Gospel”
Christian commentator George Christensen wrote in Nation First: “That is Christianity.”
“It is not homophobia, vilification, or psychological abuse.”
“It is the Christian Gospel delivered inside a school that publicly calls itself Christian.”
“Without sin, repentance means nothing. Without judgment, salvation means nothing.”
“Without the Cross, Christianity becomes little more than a school well-being program decorated with religious language.”
“Yet St Peters responded to complaints by distancing itself from aspects of the presentation.”
School Memos To Parents
The school has sent at least three memos to parents since the August 27 sermon.
One of those memos said several students expressed concerns about views, which caused discomfort and confusion relating to sexuality in particular.
“We have many community members who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community,” an email from year 7 and 8 co-ordinator Helena Lambert said, according to the Courier Mail.
Another email from head of college Tim Kotzur and deputy head of college Lisa Delaney said homophobic language, discrimination, vilification or the demeaning of another person was inconsistent with the expectations the school held for its community.
What St Peters Told Parents
“As a Lutheran school, we believe that every person is loved by God, and the dignity and worth of each person is not conditional upon their background, beliefs, identity, sexuality or circumstances,” they said.
“It is also important that we distinguish between the intentions of the young person who spoke in chapel and the impact of aspects of their message.”
“We understand that they came to St Peters intending to share their personal faith journey.”
“Our concern is not about condemning a young person for expressing their faith.”
“Rather, it is our responsibility as a college to recognise when particular messages have caused harm or do not appropriately reflect the theological and educational context in which we minister to young people, and to respond accordingly.”
“Faith Shouldn’t Be Communicated Through Fear Or Shame”
Mr. Kotzur said the school was now reviewing the circumstances surrounding the service, including the processes for selecting external speakers.
“The College recognises and regrets that some comments in the presentation caused genuine concerns for members of our community,” he acknowledged.
Mr. Kotzur added that the school did not support any message that could be interpreted as diminishing dignity, respect or belonging for any member of its community.
“Nor do we believe faith should be communicated through fear or shame.”
“Jesus Spoke About Judgement, Repentance And Hell”
“There is a vast difference between shaming someone and warning that sin has eternal consequences,” wrote George Christensen.
“Jesus Christ spoke repeatedly about judgment, repentance, and hell.”
“These teachings did not originate with Jonathan Vickers. They came from Christ himself.”
“A Christian school cannot retain the comforting parts of his teaching while discarding everything that might disturb a modern audience.”
“College Shaped By Strong Christian Values”
Mr. Christensen added that: “St Peters should understand this better than most institutions.”
“It acknowledges that human beings are “self-centred and broken” and cannot heal themselves at the deepest level.”
“It also says the partnership between the college and families works best when the values of the home and the college are aligned.”
“Its own promotional material says the college is shaped by “strong Christian values” in its “Lutheran expression”.
“Christian Schools Should Offer More than Branding”
Mr. Christensen notes that Martin Luther’s own words in his Lectures on Genesis are far stronger about homosexuality.
He says if parents don’t want their kids to hear the Christian message, they should enrol at a secular school, while Christian schools should stand firm in their faith.
“Those parents want Christianity as branding. They do not want repentance, moral discipline, judgment, conversion, or the authority of Scripture.”
“They just want the wrapping without what is inside it.”
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